scotland – and so she thinks

Roam With A Roman

admin — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 19:31:59 +0000

Hadrian’s Wall stretches 73 miles across northern England, and was once the northern most frontier of an empire which ruled a quarter of the world. I find out more about life up here with my very own Celt to guide.
Standing with our backs against the ancient wall, wind billowing against us, we’re asked to try to imagine the scale of the Roman Empire, by Gambax, our guide Celt.
See more at Australian Times.

Hadrian’s Wall: Roman discovery in Britain

admin — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 20:18:29 +0000

Standing with our backs against the ancient wall, wind billowing against us, we’re asked to try to imagine the scale of the Roman Empire, by Gambax, our guide Celt.

It’s difficult to imagine the size of the empire. To escape Roman rule one would have to go as far south as the Sahara, and as far east as Baghdad. As well as an extensive empire, they had wealth that would rival that of both China and the US combined. A quarter of the world’s population were ruled from Rome. These people knew what they were doing.

http://www.australiantimes.co.uk/travel/travel-inspiration/hadrians-wall-roman-discovery-in-britain.htm

We Were Promised Jetpacks – I Keep It Composed

admin — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 16:12:04 +0000

Menacing and brooding, as propulsive as ever I keep It Composed is the first track to be taken from We Were Promised Jetpacks‘ forthcoming LP Unravelling. It’s dark than before. Assured and strong, although always quivering with fraught emotion, this is a powerful and reactive track that demonstrates the impassioned perfection and talent of the Scottish band.
lhttps://soundcloud.com/fatcatrecords/we-were-promised-jetpacks-i-keep-it-composed-1

Broken Records – Weights & Pulleys

admin — Sun, 25 May 2014 15:28:45 +0000

Out May 19th via JSharp Records.
Weights & Pulleys is Broken Records third album, and cements their role as one of the most wholesome indie folk bands out there. Packed with undeniably good tunes, it is however a little safe. After the critical success of previous album Let Me Come Home it almost seems as though they have chosen to play safe with a well worn formula. We Weren’t Ready is a gentle opener, slowly and sweetly unfolding, but without the punch of the second track, Winterless Sons with its resounding drums and soaring chorus. The gentle plucking of Toska is a highlight, as is the jaunty You’ll Be Lonely In A Little While, which almost veers on sea shanty earworm. I Won’t Leave You In The Dark will be a summer festival staple one day, built for fist clenching moments, and final and best song All Else Can Just Wait with its lazy repetitive finale built for soft light. Jamie Sutherland’s Scottish lilt is one of the areas in which the band differentiate themselves, and the vocals a warm highlight, but accent can’t be enough. Produced by Tony Doogan, the hand behind work by Mogwai, Delgados and Belle & Sebastian, the LP is unfortunately nowhere nearly as creative as some of these bands’ outputs. Strings, brass and bouncing drums all add extra depth to the traditional band offering, but unfortunately don’t do enough to elevate the album from a hearty yet harmless sound. It’s fine, good even, but three years in the making was enough time to explore a more varied sound and challenge themselves, and it feels like this hasn’t happened. More rousing and less of the restrained please fellas.

Rachel Sermanni – Black Currents EP

admin — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:10:40 +0000

Released on February 6^th 2012

Reviewed by Francesca Baker

Atmospheric wind and whooshes, punctuated by the dull thud of bass open Black Currents EP, with Breathe Easy the perfect introduction to Rachel Sermanni’s dextrous shuffles along the fretboard and earthy emotional songcraft. The momentum soars as Rachel sings ‘I hold my hands up, my bloody hands up’, and makes this track a perfect introduction to Miss Sermanni, combining Rachel’s wide eyed gentleness and fierce headstrong music. The round lulling of the words breathe easy and the crisp enunciation throughout make the vocals a delight to listen to. Title track Black Current is a folk ballad, its story telling evocative and execution rich, and Song To A Fox an ethereal journey, undulating between high sweet melodies and almost spoken affirmations, delicate plucking of strings and scuffy guitarwork . Standout is The Fog, the chopping slices of the strings evoke thrashing waves against the rocks of her native Scotland, as well as the relentless rounds of emotions that life throws up.
Rachel’s touring schedule is pretty hectic at the moment, and It’s All Happening! were invited along to see her at the beautiful Union Chapel. Having only ever seen Rachel perform solo with her guitar in smaller, more intimate venues (including our own private gig in the gardens of Brighton pavilion) we were unsure as to whether this sweet young girl would be lost amongst the nine members of her band. Fears were soon quelled, as Rachel vocals and guitar, powerful and raw led the music, absorbed in it but never swallowed by it.
There is a strength and variety in the songs not so evident on The Bothy Sessions EP, possibly influenced by her recent move from Carrbridge to Glasgow, where ‘Jazz, folk, indie – all the spheres seem to meld together and there are no boundaries, which creates an incredibly healthy scene.’ Continuing her friendship with all things Communion based the EP was produced by Ian Grimble, and a solid driven vitality envelopes the record. The only thing he has been unable to capture is Rachel’s off beat quirkyness and captivating balance of blushing shyness and confident mischievous minstrel. For which the only cure is to get to a live show again soon.